Art Appreciation M1

Latin origin and meaning of the word 'Humanities'

Derived from 'humanos', meaning human, cultured, or refined.

Latin origin and meaning of the word 'Art'

Derived from 'ars', meaning ability or skill.

Distinction between Humanities and Social Sciences

Humanities focus on individual imagination, values, meaning, and interpretation, whereas Social Sciences focus on group behavior, societal patterns, and empirical laws.

Three foundational concepts used to define art

1. Art is experience. 2. Art is not nature (it is man-made). 3. Art is beauty.

John Dewey's definition of art in 'Art as Experience'

Viewed art as a powerful form of communication and expression created through an interactive encounter between the artist and the audience.

Two main levels of art appreciation

1. Understanding (comprehending form, context, and technique). 2. Feeling (experiencing personal emotions and connections based on that understanding).

Three core elements essential to the artistic process

The Artist, the Work/Output, and the Medium.

Primary distinction between an artist and an artisan

An artist focuses on fine arts, aesthetic pleasure, and unique emotional expression, whereas an artisan focuses on functional crafts, practical utility, and tradition-based skills.

MTPD (Four factors affecting an artist's choice of subject)

Medium, Time, Patronage, and Development.

Definition of 'Subject' in an artwork

The main idea or 'who/what' presented in an artwork, which can be objective (real/recognizable) or abstract (conceptual/non-literal).

Realism in art representation

A style where the subject is depicted naturally and accurately as seen in real life without idealization or distortion.

Abstraction in art representation

A style that simplifies or reduces complex details of a subject into fundamental shapes, lines, or forms.

Distortion in art representation

A style where natural proportions and figures are altered, twisted, or unnaturally rearranged.

Surrealism in art representation

A style combining realistic details with dreamlike, bizarre, or unnatural imagery inspired by the unconscious mind.

Classification of Visual, Literary, and Performing Arts by form

Visual arts are perceived through sight (e.g., painting, sculpture); Literary arts are written works (e.g., poetry, prose); Performing arts use the human body, face, and movement (e.g., dance, theater, music).

Five categories of art grouped by purpose

Practical/Useful Arts, Liberal Arts, Fine Arts, Major Arts, and Minor Arts.

Grouping of Plastic, Phonetic, and Kinetic Arts by medium

Plastic Arts involve physical manipulation of moldable materials (e.g., clay); Phonetic Arts use sound and words (e.g., music, literature); Kinetic Arts rely on movement and rhythm (e.g., dance).

Pure Arts vs. Mixed Arts

Pure Arts use only one medium of expression (e.g., sound alone for music), while Mixed Arts combine multiple media (e.g., opera combining music, poetry, and drama).

Napoleon Bonaparte's notable description of history

'What is history but the fable agreed upon.'

Placement and meaning of AD, BC, CE, and BCE in dating

AD (Anno Domini) and CE (Common Era) are placed before or after the year respectively; BC (Before Christ) and BCE (Before Common Era) are placed after the year.

Meaning of the Latin abbreviation 'c.' or 'ca.' in art history

Circa, meaning 'around' or 'approximately', used when exact dates are unknown.

Key traits and purpose of Medieval Art (c. AD 500-1300)

Unified by the Christian Church to tell sacred stories and spread Christianity across Western Europe.

Key traits of Renaissance Art (c. 1300-1600)

A revival of classical Greco-Roman learning, individualism, and linear perspective, featured by artists like Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael.

Key traits of Baroque Art (c. 1600-1730)

Ornate, emotional, and dramatic style featuring strong color contrasts and dynamic diagonals, heavily sponsored by the Catholic Counter-Reformation.

Key traits of Rococo Art (c. 1720s-1780)

An extension of Baroque originating in France under Louis XV, characterized by decorative, light, theatrical style with curved forms and light colors.

Key traits of Neoclassicism (c. 1750-1830)

A 'return to order' that revived Renaissance symmetry and Greco-Roman architectural forms as political tools, exemplified by Jacques-Louis David.

Key traits of Romanticism (c. 1780-1880)

Emphasized individual passion, imagination, and emotional response to nature over intellect and reason, exemplified by Caspar David Friedrich.

Key traits of 19th-century Realism in Europe

Considered the first modern art movement, focusing on detailed, lifelike depictions of working-class people and everyday realities, led by Gustave Courbet.

Key traits of Impressionism

Focused on capturing immediate outdoor light and atmospheric effects through vibrant colors and quick brushstrokes, named after Claude Monet's painting 'Impression, Sunrise'.

Key traits and artists of Post-Impressionism

Evolved from Impressionism using vivid colors and thick brushstrokes for emotional/psychological expression, featuring Georges Seurat and Vincent van Gogh.

Key traits and leading artist of Fauvism

Used expressive, intense colors and bold surface designs separated from real-life representation, led by Henri Matisse.

Key traits of Cubism

Pioneered by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, fragmenting subjects into geometric planes and showing multiple viewpoints simultaneously.

Influences and traits of Surrealism

Emerged from Dada and influenced by Sigmund Freud's psychoanalysis, depicting dreamlike, bizarre imagery from the unconscious mind, exemplified by Salvador Dalí.

Key traits of Abstract Expressionism

Post-WWII New York movement emphasizing non-representational spontaneity and action painting, famous for Jackson Pollock's drip paintings.

The two general branches of Philippine Art

Traditional/Ethnic/Folk Arts (governed by GAMABA) and Non-Traditional Arts (governed by National Artist Awards).

GAMABA (Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan)

An award honoring traditional, ethnic, and folk master-craftsmen in the Philippines, equivalent to the National Artist Award.

Baybayin

An ancient pre-colonial Tagalog script and writing system used before Spanish colonization.

Tanaga, Dalit, and Diona

Short pre-colonial Tagalog poetic forms transmitted through oral rituals; the dalit consists of 4 lines with 7 syllables each.

Diwata vs. Anito in pre-colonial Philippine beliefs

Diwata refers to sculptures or images of deities, while Anito refers to figures representing departed ancestors.

Role of the Babaylan in pre-colonial society

Female spiritual leaders, mystical healers, and shamans who held authority equal to a datu in indigenous Philippine society.

Damian Domingo's title and historical contributions

Known as the 'Father of Filipino Painting', he founded the Academia de Dibujo in 1821 and popularized the Tipos del País watercolor style.

Letras y Figuras

An art style developed by Jose Honorato Lozano that depicted local figures and landscapes arranged to spell out a patron's name.

Portraiture and Miniaturism during the Spanish Colonial Period

Genres popularized by the wealthy illustrado class to display status and detail, exemplified by portrait artist Simon Flores.

Fabian de la Rosa's role in 20th-century Philippine art

First notable painter of the 20th century known for realistic portraits and landscapes in subdued/cool colors, and the first Dean of the UP School of Fine Arts.

Fernando Amorsolo's artistic style and historical significance

The first official National Artist of the Philippines (1972), famous for his backlighting technique, golden countryside landscapes, and idealized depictions of rural life.

Victorio C. Edades's title and contribution to Philippine art

The 'Father of Modern Philippine Painting' who introduced somber colors, depictions of working laborers, and modern liberal arts education at UST.

Members of the 'Formidable Trio/Triumvirate' in Philippine modern art

Victorio C. Edades, Carlos 'Botong' Francisco, and Galo Ocampo.

Carlos 'Botong' Francisco

National Artist for Painting known for his fluid lines, vibrant colors, and historical murals such as the 'History of Manila' at Manila City Hall.

Guillermo Tolentino

A classical sculptor and National Artist who created the iconic UP Oblation (1935) and the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan.

Napoleon Abueva

The 'Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture' and National Artist who pioneered modern techniques using diverse materials like wood, metal, coral, and concrete.